What the province covers

Småland is not an administrative district, but a historical province in southern Sweden. For planning purposes, this means that what you know as Småland is divided administratively among the three counties of Jönköping, Kronoberg and Kalmar — and these are precisely the three we cover together on this page. The landscape is forest country on ancient bedrock, scoured by the Ice Age and crossed between its ridges by an exceptionally dense network of lakes, streams and bogs.

Selected waters

The province's best-known waters are Bolmen, Åsnen, Vidöstern, Rusken, Helgasjön near Växjö, Möckeln and Sommen. A national park with islands, skerries and around twenty fish species has surrounded Åsnen since 2018. What characterises Småland, however, is not the big names but the sheer quantity: hundreds of small and medium-sized forest lakes, often with a permit for under one hundred kronor and without another angler in sight. Bolmen itself lies on the western edge of the province; in our catalogue, it is listed under Halland according to its administrative classification.

Species

The typical catch in Småland is pike, perch and zander, together with roach, bream and tench in the more nutrient-rich lakes and burbot in the cold, deep waters. Zander are concentrated in the larger, murkier lakes, while the small forest lakes contain pike and perch almost throughout. Sea trout and salmon occur in the Emån, the large river in the east of the province — along with one of Sweden's last three wels catfish populations, which is protected all year round.

Permit

There is no nationwide fishing permit in Sweden. For almost every water in Småland, you instead need the permit issued by the respective fishing rights holder, usually a local Fiskevårdsområde. The permits are inexpensive and can almost always be obtained online; however, prices, area of validity, permitted methods and catch limits vary from lake to lake. Check the fishing area's page again on the day of arrival — rules and prices change for the season.

Stays & camping

Småland is the region where angling and holiday cottages go together: many houses stand directly beside a lake and come with a rowing boat, often with the option of hiring an outboard motor as well. For a self-planned trip, the crucial question is not the lake but the combination — which house is beside which water, and is the boat included in the price? The catalogue shows precisely this connection: for each water, the nearby accommodation with the calculated distance.

Places to stay and camp on fishing trips in Sweden · Boat: 43 waters

Getting there

Småland can be reached in two to four hours from the ferry ports of southern Sweden: Trelleborg and Malmö are to the south, and Göteborg to the west. The E4 crosses the province from south to north via Ljungby, Värnamo and Jönköping, and the journey to most fishing areas ends on well-maintained gravel roads. Anyone bringing their own boat should check the trailer arrangements, slipway and rules on cleaning the boat in advance.

Guides

Official sources

Checked: 04.08.2026

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Småland?

In southern Sweden, between Skåne and the large lakes. As a historical province, Småland has no administrative boundaries — it is divided among the counties of Jönköping, Kronoberg and Kalmar, which we cover together on this page.

Do you need a fishing permit in Småland?

There is no nationwide fishing permit in Sweden. For practically every lake in Småland, however, you need the local fishing permit issued by the holder of the fishing rights, which can usually be obtained online.

Which fish can you catch in Småland?

Primarily pike, perch and zander, as well as roach, bream, tench and, in deep, cold lakes, burbot. Sea trout and salmon are also found in the Emån.

When is the best time to visit Småland?

May to early June and September to October are the best periods for pike and perch. Midsummer can also be productive, but requires fishing lures at greater depths and during the early hours at either end of the day.